Calm mum Amanda Koch led her children to safety after arsonists almost turned her home into an inferno.

The community worker put a blanket over her young son and daughter and steered them out of the front door.

Flames had risen to the back bedroom window of her house in Warrington Road, in Newcastle's West End.

The smell of smoke woke the divorcee at 2.30am. Arsonists torched a shed attached to the back wall of her house.

"Had it not been for new double glazing installed three weeks ago, the flames and smoke would have burned through into the house," said Mrs Koch.

Police today praised her actions and said there could have been a tragedy.

Det Insp Max Black, of Newcastle West Police, said: "This is a very serious incident which could have cost lives. Fortunately, Mrs Koch managed to get everyone out safely.

"We need to hear from anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity at the rear of the house or who knows who set the shed alight." The attack was in the early hours of Monday.

"I haven't had any trouble since we moved in three years ago," said Mrs Koch. I told my daughter, Silke, five and my son Adam, seven, who were still half asleep that it was a firework so they were quite calm."

The mum thanked firemen for quickly putting out the flames and neighbours who helped them.